December 9 2021

Ambassador Group has held a second public exhibition detailing its plans to transform the Ocean Terminal shopping centre in Port of Leith.

A comprehensive redevelopment strategy is proposed to diversify away from retail and embrace a mix of uses, predominantly residential, by reconfiguring the mall to take better advantage of its waterfront setting.

Plans by Keppie Design, PMP and Turley show the demolition of a 'tired' wing of the current centre in favour of a new active frontage overlooking the Royal Yacht Britannia and a cluster of brick apartment blocks with feature pitched gables as part of a newly urbanised beachfront.

Outlining the broad project aims Ambassador wrote: "The wider site strategy is to reconfigure Ocean Terminal to unlock a pedestrian centred waterfront and create a new mixed-use community comprising residential, tourism, workplace, retail, leisure and public realm. This follows the principle of the 20 minute neighbourhood and relevant CEC policy.

"The scheme seeks to respond to the scale of the Leith urban context whilst creating a unique mixed tenure environment with an inherent sense of community, creating a vibrant urban experience and great place to live."

As part of a climate change mitigation and adaptation strategy the feasibility of heat recovery from seawater, distillery and sewage waste will be investigated and a pre-demolition waste audit commissioned to identify materials suitable for re-use and recycling.

The total development cost has been put at £100m, delivering 689 homes. A formal planning submission is expected in February.  

1 Comment

#1 Posted by Edin-burger on 10 Dec 2021 at 08:48 AM

The biggest problem about this scheme is not the architecture or the aspiration of the team behind it. It’s the decline of the habit and desire of the masses to visit shopping centres.

Post your comments